Megan: If you think the San Jose Sharks are just a team with a shiny new face on a video game cover, you are missing the entire chess match happening in their front office. We are talking about a roster so packed at center ice that it looks like a traffic jam on the Bay Bridge, a goalie battle that could define the season before puck drop, and a captain who is now literally the highest-paid player in hockey history.
Steve: It’s not just about the money, Megan. It’s about the tactical nightmare of fitting eleven centers and eight defensemen into a lineup that has to compete for first place in the Pacific Division. When you have that much talent and that much depth, the question isn't who makes the team—it's who doesn't.
Megan: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down every shift, every trade rumor, and every tactical nuance of the NHL. I’m Megan, your lead host, and alongside me as always is our resident analyst, Steve. Good morning, good evening, wherever you are tuning in from across the globe. This is the daily show dedicated to keeping you ahead of the play.
Steve: Hey everyone. Great to be here. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover today, especially with the preseason landscape shifting under our feet. The Sharks are sitting at 0-0-0, technically first in the Pacific, but we all know that’s just a placeholder until October rolls around.
Megan: That’s right. And today, we are doing something different. We’re opening up the mailbag. We’ve got questions coming in from fans who want to know about the Collin Graf extension, the Macklin Celebrini contract, and frankly, what is going on with that center ice rotation. But before we dive into the deep end, we need to talk about you.
Megan: Look, producing this level of detail—breaking down line matchups, analyzing cap space, tracking rookie development—takes time and resources. We want to keep this show free for everyone, so if you’ve found value in our coverage of the Sharks’ rebuild, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support directly fuels these daily breakdowns.
Steve: Exactly. It’s about community. If you’re enjoying the analysis, help us keep the lights on. Now, let’s get to those questions. First up, we have a big one regarding the centerpiece of the Sharks' future.
Megan: Let’s start with Marcus in Chicago. He asks: 'Macklin Celebrini just signed a five-year, $94 million extension. That’s $18.8 million AAV. Is he really worth being the highest-paid player in the NHL, or is the Sharks front office overpaying for potential?'
Steve: Marcus raises a valid point. On paper, $18.8 million puts him above Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon in terms of average annual value. But context matters. Celebrini is twenty years old. He’s already showing elite two-way play. In today’s market, securing a franchise cornerstone long-term is less about immediate ROI and more about asset protection. You don’t let a generational talent hit free agency at twenty-four without a deal.
Megan: Right, and remember, he’s also making the cover of EA Sports' NHL 27. That marketing power, the cultural footprint—it adds value beyond the ice. But Steve, does that salary cap hit change how you view the rest of the roster construction?
Steve: Absolutely. It creates rigidity. With Celebrini taking up nearly six percent of the cap, every other player needs to be efficient. That’s why the Collin Graf extension makes sense. Graf had 21 goals and 25 assists in 81 games last season. Signing him to three years for $12.75 million—that’s $4.25 million AAV—is actually a bargain for a reliable top-six forward. It shows they are trying to balance the ledger.
Megan: So, we have a superstar at the top, a solid re-signing in Graf, but then... wait. Let’s look at the next question from @SharksFan88 in San Jose. They ask: 'There are eleven centers on the roster. Who is actually playing, and who is getting shipped out? I see names like Barclay Goodrow, Alex Barre-Boulet, Ty Dellandrea, Philipp Kurashev... it’s a mess.'
Steve: It is a congestion issue, plain and simple. You have Celebrini locked in as the number one center. Then you have Tyler Toffoli, who can slide over, and Will Smith, who is emerging. But having Goodrow, Barre-Boulet, Dellandrea, Kurashev, and even Michael Misa and Zack Ostapchuk fighting for spots? That’s unsustainable for a team trying to build chemistry.
Megan: And we predicted back on September 9th that John Klingberg might be traded to alleviate some of this pressure. Do you still stand by that prediction, Steve? Or do you think the center logjam forces a different move?
Steve: I still think a defenseman moves. The center ice situation is messy, but defensemen are easier to trade for prospects. Klingberg brings experience, but his contract and age make him a liability for a team in rebuild mode. However, with eight defensemen including Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, Nick Leddy, Dmitry Orlov, Sam Dickinson, Nolan Allan, Michael Kesselring, and Klingberg... someone is definitely getting a pink slip or a trade notification before January.
Megan: Eight defensemen. That’s insane. Let’s pivot to another burning question from Sarah in Minneapolis. She asks: 'The headlines mention the goalie competition between Eric Comrie and Yaroslav Askarov. Last week we talked about Comrie starting against Florida. Has anything changed with the addition of Kyle Keyser and Alex Nedeljkovic to the mix?'
Steve: Sarah, that’s a great catch. The four-goalie setup is unusual. Askarov is the high-upside prospect, but Comrie has been the consistent starter in recent memory. With Keyser and Nedeljkovic there, it signals that the Sharks aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket. They want to evaluate both sides of the net during camp.
Megan: But practically speaking, who starts Game One against the Florida Panthers on October 2nd?
Steve: I’m sticking with Comrie for the opener. He’s ready. He knows the system. Askarov needs more seasoning. But once the season gets going, if Askarov plays well in the AHL or in limited NHL action, that door opens fast. The Sharks are building for the long haul, not just the next month.
Megan: Alright, moving into Segment Two. We’re looking at depth chart battles and role players. Let’s take a question from David in Toronto. He asks: 'With all these forwards, where does Mason Marchment fit? He’s listed as a left wing, but the team seems to prefer speed. Is he just an enforcer now?'
Steve: Marchment is a interesting case. He’s got size, he can score, but the Sharks are trying to inject more speed with guys like Will Smith and Ethan Cardwell. Marchment’s role will likely be as a fourth-line energy guy who can chip in when needed. He’s not the primary option, but he’s valuable for his physical presence and ability to win board battles.
Megan: And what about Ryan Reaves? He’s a RW, but we all know what his job is. Is he still part of the core identity for this team?
Steve: Reaves is insurance. If things get ugly in the playoffs, you want someone who can throw down. But in the regular season, his minutes are limited. He’s a specific tool in the toolbox, not a foundational piece. The Sharks are trying to find a balance between grit and skill, and Reaves represents the grit side.
Megan: Let’s talk about Andre Gasseau. He’s a center, but he’s also known for his defensive responsibility. Where does he fit in this crowded midfield?
Steve: Gasseau is a classic two-way center. He’s not going to be your top-line scorer, but he’s perfect for the third or fourth line. He can kill penalties, play in tight spaces, and protect leads. If the Sharks want to be a tough-out team, Gasseau is essential. If they want to be a pure offensive juggernaut, he might be expendable.
Megan: Another question from @HockeyNerd99 in Boston. They ask: 'Philipp Kurashev has been a fan favorite in Chicago. How do you see him fitting in San Jose? Does he get a shot at top-six minutes, or is he buried?'
Steve: Kurashev is skilled, but he’s facing stiff competition. With Celebrini, Toffoli, and potentially Will Smith ahead of him, Kurashev might start on the third line. But if he wins the forecheck battle and shows he can drive offense, he could push for more ice time. It comes down to training camp performance.
Megan: What about Ty Dellandrea? He’s young, he’s got upside. Is he developing fast enough to crack the lineup?
Steve: Dellandrea is raw. He has the tools, but he needs refinement. He’ll likely spend time in the AHL to develop his defensive zone play. The Sharks are patient with their prospects, but the clock is ticking on some of these contracts. Dellandrea needs to produce quickly if he wants to stay.
Megan: One last one for this segment from Lisa in Vancouver. She asks: 'Barclay Goodrow is a veteran leader. Does he mentor the younger centers, or is he competing for his own job?'
Steve: Goodrow does both. He’s a competitor. He wants to play. But his leadership is invaluable for guys like Will Smith and Zack Ostapchuk. He sets the tone. Whether he stays long-term depends on his health and production, but right now, he’s a key part of the locker room culture.
Megan: Alright, Segment Three. Fun time. Hypotheticals and lightning rounds. Let’s start with a hypothetical from Kevin in Seattle. He asks: 'If the Sharks could only keep three centers for the entire decade, who are they picking? And why?'
Steve: That’s a brutal cut. I’d keep Macklin Celebrini obviously. He’s the face of the franchise. Then I’d pick Tyler Toffoli for his scoring punch and playoff experience. For the third spot, I’d go with Will Smith. He’s young, he’s dynamic, and he fits the timeline. Goodbye to everyone else.
Megan: Ouch. Goodbye to Kurashev, goodbye to Dellandrea. What about you, Steve? Any surprises?
Steve: No surprises. It’s a no-brainer. Celebrini, Toffoli, Smith. Those are the three driving the offense. The others are depth pieces. It hurts to cut them, but in a ten-year window, you bet on the highest ceiling.
Megan: Okay, lightning round. I’m going to name a player, you tell me if they are a Buy, Sell, or Hold for fantasy hockey purposes heading into the preseason.
Steve: Let’s do it.
Megan: Collin Graf.
Steve: Hold. He’s stable, he’s re-signed, he’s reliable. Not a huge breakout candidate, but safe.
Megan: Yaroslav Askarov.
Steve: Buy. High upside. If he gets starts, he’s a streaming gem.
Megan: John Klingberg.
Steve: Sell. His time is running out. Trade value is peaking.
Megan: Darnell Nurse.
Steve: Hold. He’s a volume shooter. Points add up, even if the defense is shaky.
Megan: Ethan Cardwell.
Steve: Buy. Speed kills. He’s going to get opportunities if he shows he can finish.
Megan: There you have it. From Macklin Celebrini’s historic contract to the center ice logjam and the goalie debate, we’ve covered it all. The Sharks are poised for an interesting season, especially with that opener against Florida on October 2nd.
Steve: The key will be managing that depth. If they can figure out the lines and get solid goaltending, they could surprise people. But if the congestion leads to confusion, it could be a long year.
Megan: Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. If you enjoyed this mailbag, please subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Sharks fan.
Steve: We’ll be back tomorrow with more analysis. Keep your sticks on ice.
Megan: Sharks Up!